I write to express my broad support for the Chamber of Commerce's Vote Prosperity campaign. I want to reinforce three points of this important 18-point plan.

Local economies are indeed feeling the pinch, with a higher minimum wage and fewer tax exemptions for small businesses. I am committed to supporting small businesses that help our community work. Lowering payroll taxes to increase cash flow for them, so they can afford to pay a living wage, is one of my priorities in the upcoming provincial election (as is increasing large corporate tax so big business contributes fairly, too). Doing so is an excellent example of economic and social justice, and Martin Sherris and Bill Stewart and their team should be congratulated for bringing attention to this small business need.

They should also be applauded for championing low-cost electricity imports from other provinces. Think clean, inexpensive, renewable hydro from Quebec. That is a much better option than the status quo where our industries, and our people, have to choose between heating their buildings and homes and paying other basic bills -- due in large part to old, expensive nuclear power. It's repugnant and wrong. It's time to get honest about hydro, and the chamber is showing important leadership on this front.

Finally, the chamber hits the nail on the head: our provincial debt is out of control. And that is an understatement! Looming large at more than $312 billion (that's nine zeros, folks), interest payments on this sum alone account for over $1 billion a month. Serving the debt is the third-largest expenditure in the Ontario budget -- and this during a period of low interest rates, no less. This jeopardizes our public programs, such as health care and education, as well as supports for startups and innovation.

I want us to pay down the debt by finding efficiencies in the public service without cutting jobs. Merge Ontario's four school boards to a single system (with careful consideration of all current and historical factors). This would save at least $1 billion. But it's only the start of capping 25 years of overspending by successive NDP, Conservative and Liberal majority governments. We need to break the deficit cycle.

Support for small business. Low cost, clean energy. Controlled spending. On these three points, and many more, the chamber is looking in the right direction with its Vote Prosperity campaign. I am pleased to endorse the vast majority of its recommendations.